Old Guard
Selects First
Woman
to Command
Tomb Sentinels
By Specialist Tremeshia Ellis
Reprinted from the “Guidon,” Fort Leonard Wood, Captain Carrie Wibben leads a formation in
Missouri, 11 March 2004. Arlington, Virginia.
The 3d Infantry Regiment, the “Old Guard,” added Commanders of the guard are chosen from the
a new chapter to its own rich history, and to the ranks of officers within the regiment. The regimental
history of women in the military, with the selection of commander and deputy commander conduct a highly
a new commander of the guard for the Tomb of the selective process to pick the best candidates for the
Unknown Soldier. Captain Carrie Wibben is the first position. Candidates are evaluated in three areas:
woman and the first military police officer chosen to quality of service, physical ability and composure, and
serve in the position. The 26-year-old officer had Army longevity. The aim is to choose officers who
commanded the 289th Military Police Company (-), will eventually take the Old Guard’s discipline,
which is attached to Headquarters Company, 3d standards, and ethos back to regular Army units.
Infantry Regiment. Captain Wibben assumed her new A series of five progressively tougher tests will
duties 15 May 2004. prepare Captain Wibben for her post by examining
The new commander grew up in a small town in her mastery of the uniform; her knowledge of the
Iowa, but wanted to join the Army “to see the rest of history of the sentinels, the Tomb of the Unknown
the world.” After high school, she attended the US Soldiers, and Arlington National Cemetery; and her
Military Academy Preparatory School before going familiarity with the rituals of sentinel duty. After the
to West Point and graduating there in 2000. The more final trial—the “badge test”—she will be allowed to
she learned what it meant to be a military officer, the wear the tomb badge as a temporary award. Only after
more she wanted to set herself apart by becoming a serving honorably for nine months with the tomb
good leader. guards will she be awarded permanent orders for her
“I think many people are unaware they possess Tomb Identification Badge. Captain Wibben, who has
leadership potential until they are put into a leadership been an officer in the Old Guard since June 2003, will
role,” she said. “I didn’t know I was a leader until I be responsible for the sentinels who guard the tomb
was given the opportunity to lead.” Now this military 24 hours daily. She will also be responsible for
police officer is leading the way for others as a member training and coordinating with outside agencies and
of the Army’s oldest active unit. Women sentinels are organizations, as well as units within the Military
rare, and only a few have served at the tomb since District of Washington. As the first woman commander
sentinels began standing guard there in 1948. The of the tomb guards, she will deal with the public more
sentinels are also responsible for giving the final honors than most platoon leaders because of the visibility of
for those who are buried at Arlington National Ceme- the tomb.
tery. The tomb guards belong to a special platoon of “It feels good to be a part of a unit that renders
3d Infantry Regiment soldiers, officers, and noncom- honors to those who have gone before us and those
missioned officers who are selected as sentinels. All who have served their nation as a career,” she said. “I
are “three-time volunteers” explained one officer. They am proud to be a part of a unit that thanks them for
volunteer for the Army, the unit, and sentinel duty. what they’ve done for this country and our military.”
MILITARY POLICE PB 19-04-2 1